The best things in life are free, indeed, and our monthly "Free Stamp" feature rounds up all of the free #CLE events that get our "stamp" of approval. Got a free event you want us to include? Drop us a line here.
In the (Launch)House
Wondering what the coworking craze is all about? Join LaunchHouse for its monthly information session and office tour on Tuesday, October 9, from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Other October highlights include Lunch + Learn events on time management and delegation (October 11) and new product development (October 24), as well as a happy hour with wireless lighting company Mr. Beams (sponsored by Sibling Revelry Brewing) on October 18 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Immigration Conversation
On Saturday, October 13, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jose Antonio Varga will lead a discussion about his latest memoir, Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen—which relates Varga's personal experience as an undocumented immigrant and furthers current conversations about American identity. The event will be held at the Cleveland Public Library's Louis Stokes Wing as part of Literary Cleveland's Writers + Readers series. For more details, click here.
Much to our Chagrin
More than 50 local businesses will convene at Chagrin Valley Chamber of Commerce's annual Community Open House, which is happening on Saturday, October 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All participating businesses will offer one-day deals and discounts, and the event will also feature food samples, raffle prizes, a "princess sing-along," and book signings (including Marvel comic author Marc Sumerak). The Chagrin Falls fire and police departments' trucks and cars will be on display from 11 a.m. to 2 pm. For more info, click here.
Live from Uptown
Ten music acts—including Land of Talk and Lucy Dacus—will provide the soundtrack for the free festivities of Studio-A-Rama, WRUW’s annual appreciation event for the community. Slated for October 13, Studio-A-Rama take place outside of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Cleveland, followed by an after-show at Happy Dog at the Euclid Tavern. Head to University Circle for music, food trucks, and fun starting at 2 p.m. For more information, click here.
Healthy Pours and Happy Pens
Hosted by Brews + Prose, the aptly named "Cleveland Drafts" literary festival will take place for the first time on Saturday, October 20, in Tremont. Join local readers, writers, and publishers of all experience levels to observe featured creatives debut works-in-progress in the genres of fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and playwriting—fueled by beer and snacks, naturally. The event kicks off at Visible Voice Books at 1 p.m. and concludes at 7 p.m. with an after-party at Lava Lounge. Read all about it here.
What the World Needs Now
Bright Thoughts will host EmpowerU, a free intersectional feminist festival on Saturday, October 20, from 12 to 7 p.m. at the Institute at St. John's. A packed schedule of offerings includes performances, open mic sessions, chakra-balancing foods, yoga and meditation classes, talks on topics like generational diversity and self-care, and much more. Click here to get the full 411.
Halloween Starts Here
Halloween celebrations will officially begin in Mentor on Saturday, October 20, at All City Candy’s “Spooktacular” event. Activities include face painting, blind candy tasting, and the Jelly Belly BeanBoozled challenge, as well as tasty free samples. The celebration will also kick off the store’s costume contest, which runs through October 31 and gives costume-donning customers a shot at a $25 All City Candy gift card. Festivities will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Dana Shugrue is a graduate of John Carroll University, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Digital Media and Professional Writing. She is a full-time Content Specialist at Budget Dumpster, and part-time freelance writer for FreshWater Cleveland. When she’s not writing, you can catch Dana taking a run through the metros or sipping a latte at her favorite local coffee shop.